i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support systems which make use of a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sensors. These systems consist of active safety and pre-crash safety systems.
These systems are designed to assist the driver in safer driving by reducing the load on the driver and helping to avert collisions or reduce their severity. However, because each system has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely solely on the systems.
Active Safety Technology supports safer driving by helping the driver to recognise potential hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Left/right side and rear side detection
Road sign recognition
Inter-vehicle distance recognition
Driver fatigue detection
Rear obstruction detection when leaving a parking space
Driver support systems
Inter-vehicle distance
Speed control
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to assist the driver in averting collisions or reduce their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Reverse driving
Collision damage reduction in medium/high speed range
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) detects lane indications and recognises headlights, tail lights and city lights during nighttime driving. In addition, it also detects the vehicle ahead, pedestrians, or obstructions. The following systems also use the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
High Beam Control System (HBC)
Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS)
Smart City Brake Support [Forward] (SCBS F)
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windscreen near the rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) (Search).
Radar sensor (front)
The radar sensor (front) functions by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle ahead sent from the radar sensor. The following systems also use the radar sensor (front).
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)
Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The radar sensor (front) is mounted behind the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor (Front) (Search).
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) (Search).
Ultrasonic sensors (rear)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) function by detecting the ultrasonic waves reflected off obstructions at the rear sent from the ultrasonic sensors. The following systems also use the ultrasonic sensors (rear).
Smart City Brake Support [Reverse] (SCBS R)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) are mounted in the rear bumper.
Refer to Ultrasonic Sensors (Rear) (Search).
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights (Search).
Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter what side of the road you must drive your vehicle (left-hand or right-hand traffic). Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when switching temporarily to driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-hand traffic).
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inoperable using the personalisation function.
Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).
The High Beam Control System (HBC) determines the conditions in front of the vehicle using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch the headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights (Search).
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights are switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the following occurs:
The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction.
The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities and towns.
The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights (Search).
Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera, otherwise the system will not operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the High Beam Control System (HBC) and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and low beams manually if necessary.
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the following conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traffic conditions.
When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards, and traffic signals.
When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and signs.
When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
When driving on roads with sharp turn or hilly terrain.
When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are dim or not illuminated.
When there is sufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are occupied.
When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tyres onto your windscreen.
The High Beam Control System (HBC) operates to switch the headlights automatically between high and low beams after the ignition is switched ON and the headlight switch is in the AUTO and high beam position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC) determines that it is dark based on the brightness of the surrounding area. At the same time, the High Beam Control System (HBC) indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster illuminates.
When the vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights automatically switch to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite direction.
When the vehicle speed is less than about 20 km/h (12 mph), the High Beam Control System (HBC) switches the headlights to low beams.
The low beams may not switch to high beams when cornering.
Operation of the High Beam Control System (HBC) function can be disabled. Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).
Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to the low beam position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC) indicator light (green) turns off.
Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC) indicator light (green) turns off and the is illuminated.
The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) are a system which uses the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) to determine the situation of a vehicle ahead or a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction while driving at night to automatically switch the illumination range of the headlights, the illuminated area, or the illumination brightness.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) (Search).
The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) are controlled between high and low beams as follows to assure the driver’s visibility without dazzling a vehicle ahead or a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction.
Glare-Free High Beam
This feature dims only the high-beam light shone on the vehicle ahead.
The high beams will dim while driving at a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or faster. When the vehicle speed is less than about 30 km/h (18 mph), the beams switch to the low beams.
The headlight high-beam indicator light turns on while the high beams are on.
Wide-Range Low Beam
This feature extends the illumination range of the light cast by the low beams while driving at a speed less than about 40 km/h (25 mph).
Highway Mode
This feature shifts the illumination angle of the light cast by the headlights upward while driving on highways.
The distance in which the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) can detect objects varies depending on the surrounding conditions.
Do not modify the suspensions or headlight units, or remove the camera. Otherwise, the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) may not operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and low beams manually if necessary.
Under the following conditions, the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) may not operate normally. Manually switch between the high and low beams according to the visibility, and the road and traffic conditions.
When there are other sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards, and traffic signals.
When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and signs.
When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
When driving on roads with sharp curves or undulations.
When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles ahead or in the opposite lane are dim or not illuminated.
When there is insufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are occupied.
When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead spraying water from its tyres onto your windscreen.
The system switches the headlights to the high beams after the ignition is switched ON and the headlight switch is in the position. The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster turns on simultaneously.
The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) determine that it is nighttime based on the brightness of the surrounding area.
The system cancels operation when the headlight switch is turned to a position other than , the headlights are manually switched to low beams, or the high beams are flashed on and off.
The system can be changed so that the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) do not operate.
Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is reversing by alerting the driver to the presence of vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and right sides of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a parking space, and notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights and the warning buzzer.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) operation
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights flashes and the warning beep is activated simultaneously.
(With rear view monitor)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) warning indication in the rearview monitor also synchronizes with the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light on the door mirrors.
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting the vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights may not flash or it might be delayed even though a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the rear.
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indication/warning light turns on and operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indication/warning light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorised Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights has occurred.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor (rear).
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long periods on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be difficult to detect them.
The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6 mph) or faster.
The radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked vehicle. (Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no longer obstructed.)
A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
The vehicle is parked on a slant.
(With Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch)
Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch and the system becomes operable.
(Without Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch)
Directly after the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system becomes operable.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors.
The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
Turn off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.